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| Constantine's Letter to the Council, depreciating the Removal of Eusebius from Cæsarea.
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Chapter
LXII.—Constantine’s Letter to
the Council, depreciating the Removal of Eusebius from
Cæsarea.
“Victor
Constantinus, Maximus Augustus, to Theodotus, Theodorus,
Narcissus, Aëtius, Alpheus, and the rest of the bishops who are at
Antioch.
“I have perused the
letters written by your Prudences, and highly approve of the wise
resolution of your colleague in the ministry, Eusebius. Having,
moreover, been informed of the circumstances of the case, partly by
your letters, partly by those of our illustrious counts,3301
| 3301 The word has thus generally been rendered by Bag., and does
probably refer to their official title, although in this case and
occasionally he translates “friends.” | Acacius and Strategius, after sufficient
investigation I have written to the people of Antioch, suggesting the
course which will be at once pleasing to God and advantageous for the
Church. A copy of this I have ordered to be subjoined to this present
letter, in order that ye yourselves may know what I thought fit, as an
advocate of the cause of justice, to write to that people: since I find
in your letter this proposal, that, in consonance with the choice of
the people, sanctioned by your own desire, Eusebius the holy bishop of
Cæsarea should preside over and take the charge of the church at
Antioch. Now the letters of Eusebius himself on this subject appeared
to be strictly accordant with the order prescribed by the Church.
Nevertheless it is expedient that your Prudences should be made
acquainted with my opinion also. For I am informed that Euphronius the
presbyter, who is a citizen of Cæsarea in Cappadocia, and George
of Arethusa, likewise a presbyter, and appointed to that office by
Alexander at Alexandria,3302
| 3302 [George (afterwards bishop of Laodicea) appears to have been
degraded from the office of presbyter on the ground of impiety, by the
same bishop who had ordained him. Both George and Euphronius were of
the Arian party, of which fact it is possible that Constantine was
ignorant.—Bag.] Georgius was at one time or another Arian,
semi-Arian, and Anomoean, and is said to have been called by Athanasius
“the most wicked of all the Arians” (Venables in Smith and
Wace, Dict. 2. 637). He was constantly pitted against
Eustathius, which accounts for his appearance at this time. Euphronius
was the one chosen at this time. Compare Bennett, Euphronius, in
Smith and Wace, Dict. 2. 297. | are men of
tried faith. It was right, therefore, to intimate to your Prudences,
that in proposing these men and any others whom you may deem worthy the
episcopal dignity, you should decide this question in a manner
conformable to the tradition of the apostles. For in that case, your
Prudences will be able, according to the rule of the Church and
apostolic tradition, to direct this election in the manner which true
ecclesiastical discipline shall prescribe. God preserve you, beloved
brethren!”E.C.F. INDEX & SEARCH
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